Thread: Cold Water Shaving

Been cold water shaving for 4 years ......... http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...highlight=cold ...... ain't lookin' back to hot.

Originally Posted by roden011

I'm not gonna lie, just like that boy felt, I felt dirty, I felt ashamed, and I liked it.

You're killin me!

Interestingly enough, I'm a complete newbie still searching for a method or routine. I have a hard time figuring out ATG, so the other day I mused "if I were to shave ATG in cold water, perhaps the goose bumps might make my stubble stand at attention for the execution." I tried it and found it really refreshing. Unlike you, I had no idea that cold water shaving was somehow aberrant or naughty, so I didn't feel dirty at all. Instead, I just wondered why more people weren't doing it. After reading this thread, I'm going to try starting off out in the cold and see how it goes.

Cold is the way to a man's stubble. Read in depth a little more and you'll find that cold is used as a generic term for any temp other than hot. I'm the loudest mouth for cold water shaving but the details are that any temp but hot that gives you a good result is 'cold' in my mind. Comfort level and all, what ever makes you happy with the results.

Once I tried cold water it was the only way to go...feels great and makes a shave that much more refreshing.

I was reflecting on just why my cold water shaving experience may have been so bad in the Marine Corps. I have a few theories. Maybe it's one of these factors...

1) Sleep deprivation
2) Food deprivation
3) Toting 60+ lbs of gear constantly for weeks on end
4) 33 degree (F) and raining weather (cause if it ain't rainin', you ain't trainin')
5) Using This: Amazon.com: Gillette Fusion Manual Razor: Prime Pantry
6) And this: Amazon.com: Shave Secret Shaving Oil- The Best Shave Ever ! 18.75ML: Health & Personal Care

Who knows?

And of course, I was using cold water...

I'd say 1 thru 6 for starters. These days don't take the term cold literally. I switched to cold water shaving in the extreme and now, for me, any temp but hot, or very hot gives me a great shave. As long as I finish with a very cold water temp facecloth.

So what does a basic cold water prep look like? Shower first then just cold towels? I did read the link to the 1906 PDF and I tried it without a shower first and I got some pulling. There is way too many of you toting the awesomeness that is cool/cold water shaving for me not to try again. Comfort is the whole reason for me getting into wet shaving and straights anything to enhance that would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully this won't detract from the OP.

Originally Posted by jfk742

So what does a basic cold water prep look like? Shower first then just cold towels? I did read the link to the 1906 PDF and I tried it without a shower first and I got some pulling. There is way too many of you toting the awesomeness that is cool/cold water shaving for me not to try again. Comfort is the whole reason for me getting into wet shaving and straights anything to enhance that would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully this won't detract from the OP.

I dunno as I never use a prep routine. Just get up, stumble to the bathroom, fill the sink with cold water, splash face with cold sink water and face lather. Only time I get pulling is if the blade is dull. You just need to experiment to find a routine that suits you.

Bob

jfk742, let me outline my prep before I cold water shave. To start, I've sensitive skin and react to some ingredients in the products as well as a mild case of Rosacea. That is what lead me to a cold water shave.

At the end of my shower I cool the temp down to lukewarm to rinse my face. I apply a thin coating of hair conditioner to my face and don't rinse it off. When I am ready to shave I build my lather with a brush that has bee soaking in cold tap water. After stropping my razor and ready to lather up I first apply a very small amount of Cremo, Kiss My Face or other similar product as an additional pre-shave. Lather and shave and wipe my face down with as cold tap water as I can get on a washcloth, dry and apply Nivea AS Balm for Sensitive Skin, or similar product. I also use one of two home made concoctions that also soothe my face as alternates. When I occasionally use an alum block to check for irritations from the razor I find maybe a 1% irritation level on occasion. The 'cold' water rinse also is good for sealing off little nicks and weepers quickly.

Hope that helps you make a decision.